The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) announced Friday that it is moving football to the spring due to the sport's high risk of spreading COVID-19.
“At the end of the day, we did everything we could to find a path forward for football this fall,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said in a statement. “But while continuing to connect with the Governor’s office, state health department officials, our member schools’ personnel and the Council, there is just too much uncertainty and too many unknowns to play football this fall.
It is certainly disappointing for high school coaches and players.
Grandville head coach Eric Steigel broke the news to his team before they started practice on Friday.
Instead of starting practice, Grandville head coach Eric Stiegel had to address his team regarding the MHSAA's decision to move football to the spring. pic.twitter.com/PptUtzLSOA
— FOX 17 Blitz (@FOX17Blitz) August 14, 2020
"The primary thing right now is just getting the guys in the mind frame of this is what we are dealt," Steigel said. "It's not fair for them, that doesn't mean I agree or disagree with the decision the state made. It just stinks for them right now we are going to do everything we can to get them back into a routine where they are going forward at something."
Godwin Heights had just started its practice when the news came down.
Head coach Brandon Kimble had to tell his players after just a few short drills.
"Any person that works in education or is around teenagers; they are struggling," Kimble said. "They are struggling mentally, they don't know what to think about their future so I am just so worried about our kids now starting online for school, having no sports and then they are home just doing whatever. "
Details on a spring football season have not been released.
For now, other fall sports are proceeding as originally scheduled.
